The Hon Stephen Smith mp

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Violence in Kenya

Australia is deeply concerned by the violence that has reportedly killed around 300 people following the announcement of the results of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held on 27 December.

The Australian Government has urged Kenyan political leaders to refrain from any action that may further incite violence and to work urgently to achieve a peaceful solution to the current tensions in the interests of the Kenyan people.

We have also underlined with Kenyan leaders and key African countries our support for international mediation offers, including by the African Union (AU) and the Commonwealth.

We welcome indications that political leaders in Kenya may be willing to negotiate a way forward.

We urge Kenyan political leaders to accept and work with international mediation efforts to end the current political crisis. In this context, the offer of mediation by the current AU Chair, President Kufour of Ghana should be accepted. The mediation efforts being undertaken by Archbishop Tutu in Nairobi are also welcome.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been regularly updating travel advice for Kenya since the trouble began to give Australians the most up-to-date information.

We strongly encourage Australians in Kenya to remain indoors in a secure location or leave the country, if it is safe to do so. Australians in Kenya should certainly avoid protests and demonstrations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Australians in Kenya and is endeavouring to regularly check on the welfare of those in adversely affected areas.